Josephine E. Thompson, nee Sagovac, 96, a long-time resident of Belleville, currently of Swansea, IL, born Wednesday, March 21, 1928, in East St. Louis, IL, passed away Thursday, November 21, 2024 at Bradford Place in Swansea, IL.
Josephine retired from St. Elizabeth in the Social Service Department after many years of service. She was a member of St. Augustine of Canterbury, Belleville, IL.
Josephine enjoyed many hobbies, from watching horror movies and waking up in the middle of the night screaming scaring the heck out of her husband. She attended auctions and traveled with her husband. Mom loved playing the piano. She had a knack for decorating and was a truly crafty person. Doll clothes, school bags, stockings, and sea-shell lamps and mirrors are but a few of things she made for her children and family.
Holidays were always a joyous occasion for her. She always looked forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas where she would prepare a meal that included her famous cheese ball, which she made for over 50 years. She enjoyed her Cella’s chocolate covered cherries and chocolate wine.
She also took pride in meticulously decorating her Christmas tree every year, which was always perfect. One year, she summoned her husband to help. She went to the other side to check his work only to discover he was throwing handfuls of tinsel on the tree. She never asked for his help again. She will be greatly missed.
She was preceded in death by her:
- Husband, Everett W. Thompson
- Parents George and Emily, nee Loncarevic, Sagovac
- Daughter, Carol Butcher
- Grandchildren:
- Allyson Beran
- Jerrod Cavins
- Gary Cavins
- Son-in-laws:
- Phillip Parsaghian
- Steve Garretson
- Great granddaughter, Ellie Backs
Surviving are her:
- Children:
- Christy “Chris” (Jim) Kocinski of O Fallon, IL
- Patricia Parsaghian of Belleville, IL
- Brian (Carol) Thompson of Swansea, IL
- Judy Thompson of Belleville, IL
- Maureen Garretson of Swansea, IL
- Karen (Chris) Peacock of Belleville, IL
- Grandchildren:
- Melissa (Tyson) Bullard
- Eric (Michelle) Thompson
- Ashley (Joe) Strube
- Jessica (Brandon) Backs
- Emily (Sam) Weber
- Greg Oliver Jr.
- Great grandchildren:
- Parker Bullard
- Hattie Bullard
- Maddie Thompson
- Katie Thompson
- Jacob Thompson
- Joe Strube, Jr.
- Everett Strube
- Sawyer Backs
- Autumn Backs
- Summer Backs
- Sister-in-law, Pat Thompson of Collinsville, IL
- Cousin, Diane Sagovac of Eureka, MO
- Many dear nieces nephews and cousins
The family would like to give a special thank you to Family Hospice and to the staff at Bradford Place for the care they gave Josephine.
Memorials: Memorials may be made to Family Hospice or to Bradford Place, Swansea, IL.
Visitation: Visitation from 10–11 a.m., Monday, November 25, 2024 at St. Augustine of Canterbury in Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 25, 2024 at St. Augustine of Canterbury-Belleville, with Msgr. Bill McGhee officiating. Interment will follow at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.
